These two brands had similar beginnings. Which one makes a better oven?
An authentic pizza oven produces pizza that has an undeniably better quality over pizza created in a standard oven. When pizza is made over open flames and at a higher cooking temperature, it produces a crisper crust. While an indoor stove reaches only 500°F, a pizza oven, comparatively, reaches 950°F. When it comes to a Bertello Vs Ooni Koda 12, we’ll determine which is the best pizza oven to use for pizza night and why.
When looking to purchase a pizza oven, the things to consider are:
- Design
- Performance
- Ease of Use
- Price
- Product Support
Bertello vs. Ooni: The Players
Both companies got their start through crowdsource funding and ran extremely successful campaigns. However, Bertello had a better edge marketing-wise when it turned to Shark Tank for additional funding. This allowed them to gain even more notoriety.
Bertello
Bertello began in 2017 with a Kickstarter campaign being fully funded in less than 24 hours from its launch. Eventually, the pizza oven found its way to the widely watched television series, Shark Tank, and obtained a deal with Kevin O’Leary.
Ooni
Ooni was founded in 2012 and began with a notably successful Kickstarter campaign which launched the original Ooni design. Later, another campaign was launched using Indiegogo, which allowed the company to create the Ooni Pro.
Bertello vs Ooni – The Similarities
Both companies offer a portable pizza oven that can be taken anywhere. Each has legs that fold right under the oven and take up very little storage space. They can even be used as an outdoor pizza oven if you want to take them camping.
When it comes to price, both companies make affordably priced models. While Bertello only has one pizza oven design, Ooni has several. However, each company falls in a similar price range, with the only difference begin the type and functionality of the oven.
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Design
To critique the overall look of a pizza oven is pretty subjective. We’re also going to look at elements that effect the cooking experience as well as the quality of the pizza produced by both ovens.
Bertello Design
The design is very straightforward yet elegant. This portable oven makes a statement in your backyard and can almost be used as a centerpiece as an outdoor pizza oven. The Bertello pizza oven uses multiple mediums for fuel, including charcoal, gas, wood, or pellets. Being able to cook with gas and wood at the same time is what sets the Bertello pizza oven apart.
Bertello uses a cordierite pizza stone, which withstands high temperatures and absorbs moisture from the pizza, allowing for a crispier crust. The base model of the Bertello pizza oven comes with a baking stone, wood tray, and wood chip scoop.
The two downsides to the Bertello is that the gas burner attachment is almost awkwardly large, and the opening of the pizza oven is uncomfortably narrow.
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Ooni Design
Ooni’s goal is to bring restaurant-quality pizza to people’s backyards. The Koda 12 is somewhat of a futuristic looking design, yet very functional. It has a smooth, rounded outer shell with foldable legs. This makes the Koda ultra-portable especially when coupled with the carry case also made by Ooni.
Since the introduction of the Koda 12 it seems like Ooni has made all of their ovens in a similar design pattern so Ooni must feel like they got something right.
The Design Winner
The winner of this round is the Ooni Koda 12.
The Ooni Koda 12 is better constructed in many ways and is better at heat retention, enabling it to create a better-tasting pizza. Overall, it provides users with more options over the Bertello. Although, if you take design into account, Bertello is a nicer-looking model.
There are some stark differences between both models. While they operate the same and have similar designs, Ooni offers more variety in its line. It caters more to people’s differences than creating a one-size-fits-all model.
Furthermore, it is because of this decision that many people are reporting flaws within the Bertello model. While it is admirable to want to hone your skills on making one of the best products, sometimes you lose out on revenue because, in this case, there are many different preferences in making pizza.
This decision, in the end, may end up hurting Bertello.
Although not quite as portable, the Bertello pizza oven is still fairly easy to tote around. The legs easily collapse, and it can be stored in a small space.
The largest flaw with the Bertello design is that the opening for the pizza oven is too small.and it does not evenly distribute heat. This may be the reason why novices may tend to have difficulty using the machine. Until people become familiar with the device, they may experience pizza that is burned on the side closest to the fire.
The Bertello pizza oven also reaches lower temperatures over the Ooni and cooks pizza in two minutes over Ooni’s 30 seconds to two minutes. This may be partially due to Ooni’s higher heat temperatures.
It also has a smaller pizza size.
Pros
Cons
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Ooni: The Differences
Ooni is no angel to the pizza oven arena, either. Many people report that its fatal flaw is that temperatures can be difficult to regulate on some models, and that it doesn’t come equipped with a temperature gauge – it must be purchased separately.
This means that without a thermometer, if you are using wood chips, you may have to play with the fuel quite a bit to even out the temperature. This means that, just like the Bertello, you run the risk of burning your pizza until you become better acquainted with the appliance.
However, unlike the Bertello, this flaw is remedied by its infrared thermometer, or by purchasing an oven that is fueled by gas. With Bertello, it is the size that causes the heat irregularities, not a thermometer.
Ooni’s strength is its versatility. The company has created five distinctive pizza ovens, used different heat sources, and created them in various sizes. The purpose of this is so that everyone can find a pizza oven best suited to their taste, experience, and preferences.
Pros
Cons
The Winner of this Round: Ooni Koda
Ooni comes out further ahead because it is more customized to the individual. While both ovens, when used by a novice, may burn the pizza initially, the Ooni is easily remedied, whereas with the Bertello, this is more of a fatal flaw.
The Overall Winner Is: Ooni Koda 12
With a more customized line, Ooni Koda is simply a better pizza oven. Even the flaws in its design are easily remedied over the Bertello.
Purchase Bertello if:
- You like a more traditional, smoky-flavored pizza
- Are more of an expert
- You are on a tighter budget
Purchase the Koda for its:
- Portablility
- Ease of use
- Product support
When it comes to Bertello versus the Ooni Koda 12, both companies create excellent products. The Koda just comes out ahead because it has perfected an existing product rather than the Bertello which has tailored its product to suiting individual needs. Check our our articles, Complete Ooni Koda 12 Review and Bertello Pizza Oven Review for a complete guide to each of these pizza ovens.
Hey there, I’m Greg Palmer, and I’m thrilled to share my story with you. Together with my brother Tim, I run the website GoodLifePizzaOvens.com, and it’s been quite the journey!
Our roots run deep in a beautiful countryside where we spent our childhood surrounded by nature’s wonders. Those were the days of horseback rides, fixing fences, rounding up cattle, and the never-ending quest to catch chipmunks raiding the grain barrel. But among all the adventures, that one special summer stands out, etched in our hearts forever—a time we both cherish dearly.
